Build-up of residue and dirt clog the pores. When this happens, the sebum oil produced by the sebaceous glands cannot get out of the skin. This causes skin infections such as blackheads, pimples, and acne. There are also instances when hormonal changes affect the oil production of the sebaceous glands which also clogs the pores.
Here are some remedies that you can do at home to unclog your pores:
1. Steaming
Steaming is the easiest and least expensive remedy. It opens up your skin pores while removing dirt and impurities.
You will need:
- A soft towel
- One bowl of hot water
Here’s how:
- Wash your face to remove makeup residue and dirt.
- Fill the bowl with hot water and place it on top of a table.
- Lean over the hot water so the steam touches your face. Cover your head with a towel to keep the steam from escaping.
- Stay in this position for five to ten minutes. You may take breaks in between if you feel that the steam is too hot and your skin can’t tolerate the heat.
- After steaming, dry your face with a soft towel.
- If you have oily skin, use a gentle toner.
- Apply a gentle moisturi
- er.
- You can add a couple of drops of tea tree oil or any essential oil to increase the effectivity of this process.
Warning: Don’t steam for more than ten minutes because this might dry your skin. Limit your steaming to once or twice a week.
2. Hemp Seed Oil
The essential fatty acids present in hemp seed oil provide linoleic acid to the skin. When the supply of linoleic acid is insufficient, the sebaceous glands create sebum that has oleic acid which is drier and harder than the regular sebum. This blocks the pores and causes whiteheads and blackheads.
Here’s how:
- Wash your face.
- Pour some hemp seed oil on your palm.
- Use the tip of your fingers to gently spread the hemp seed oil on your face.
- Rinse with warm water.
- Dry your face with a soft towel. This will remove the remaining oil.
- If your face feels too dry after, apply a small amount of hemp seed oil to moisturize your skin.
- Do this remedy twice a week.
3. Honey
Honey contains antibacterial properties that’s effective in treating acne. More than doing a great job at getting rid of those annoying zits, honey can also unclog your pores. It keeps the skin hydrated and moisturized to make it soft, smooth, and glowing.
Different ways to use honey:
- Get some raw honey and gently massage it on your skin for a couple of minutes. Let it stay there for a few more minutes, and then rinse with warm water after. Do this remedy twice or thrice a week to unclog your pores.
- Mix three tablespoons of honey and two to three teaspoons of cinnamon powder. Use your fingertips to dab the mask on your skin and let it stay there for about twenty minutes. Wash your face with warm water. Do this remedy once or twice a week for best results.
- Make your own exfoliating scrub by blending one tablespoon of baking soda and two tablespoons of honey. Massage this mixture on your face for ten to fifteen minutes. Rinse with warm water. Do this remedy once or twice a week.
- Make a honey mask using 1 teaspoon of honey, 1 tsp of olive or jojoba oil and 2 tablespoons of plain yogurt. Mix them well and apply to your face. Leave for 15-20 minutes and wash off with lukewarm water. Do this once a week.
4. Egg Mask
Egg white can tighten your skin pores. They possess excellent skin-toning properties that can make your skin soft and smooth.
You will need:
- One to two egg yolks
- One to two teaspoons of honey
- Egg white from one to two eggs
Here’s how:
- Use a gentle cleanser to wash your face.
- Apply a small amount of egg white on your face. You may opt to add some honey as you go.
- Leave the mixture on your face for a couple of minutes.
- Rinse with warm water.
The next steps are optional:
- Whip the two egg yolks and dab them on your face for more nourishment and skin tightening.
- Rinse your face after fifteen to twenty minutes.
- Use a gentle moisturizer.
- Do this remedy once a week.
5. Fresh Lemon Juice
Lemon is a natural astringent that gets rid of dirt and impurities while tightening your pores. It contains citric acid that scrubs those dead cells away while clearing oil that clogs the skin pores.
Different Ways to Use Fresh Lemon Juice as a Remedy for Clogged Pores:
- Soak a clean cotton ball in fresh lemon juice. Wipe it on your face. Massage that area using circular strokes to keep the skin from sagging.
- Get a whole lemon and slice it into two. Get one half and gently rub it on your face or on the affected area. Rinse with warm water after five minutes.
6. Parsley
Parsley controls the secretion of sebum that’s why it’s the perfect treatment for people whose clogged pores are caused by their oily skin. It also acts as a natural astringent that helps keep your pores tight and clean. Parsley also reduces skin redness, acne scars, and breakouts.
You will need:
- A clean wash cloth
- A bowl of boiling hot water
- A few sprigs of parsley
Here’s how:
- Wash the parsley to make sure it’s clean before using.
- Put the parsley in a bowl of boiling hot water.
- Leave it there and wait until the water cools down.
- Soak the clean washcloth.
- Remove the excess water, and then wipe the cloth on your face for ten to fifteen minutes
- Do this remedy everyday.
7. Baking Soda
Here’s a great alternative to that expensive deep pore cleanser you’ve been wanting to buy. Baking soda is a gentle exfoliant that removes dead skin cells, dirt, and other impurities that clogs your pores.
Basic Recipe:
You will need:
- Water
- Two teaspoons of baking soda
Do this:
- Put some baking soda and water in a clean bowl.
- Mix until it has a paste-like consistency.
- Apply the paste in your skin and massage gently using circular strokes.
- Leave the paste on your face for a couple of minutes.
- Rinse with warm water. Do this remedy weekly.
Honey-Baking Soda Mask You will need:
- A teaspoon of cinnamon powder
- Four tablespoons of honey Two tablespoons of baking soda
- Fresh lemon juice (from ½ lemon)
Here’s how:
- Put the cinnamon powder, honey, fresh lemon juice, and baking soda in a bowl.
- Mix thoroughly.
- Use the tip of your fingers to put the mask on your face.
- Leave the mask for five to eight minutes.
- Rinse with warm water.
- Do this remedy weekly.
8. Fuller’s Earth
Mask Fuller’s earth is a type of clay with oil soaking properties that can get rid of oil and impurities from the skin and any material it’s applied to. It’s great for people with oily skin and clogged pores. Fuller’s earth also leaves your skin soft, smooth and radiant because of its natural bleaching properties.
Fuller’s Earth – Rosewater Mask You will need:
- Rosewater
- One to two teaspoons of fuller’s earth
Here’s how:
- Mix some rosewater with fuller’s earth until it forms a smooth paste.
- Use a gentle soap to clean your face before putting the mask.
- Leave the mask on your face for a few minutes.
- Once the mask is dry, use warm water to wash it off.
- For best results, do this remedy once every seven days.
Fuller’s Earth – Oatmeal Mask You will need:
- Water
- A tablespoon of oatmeal
- A tablespoon of fuller’s earth
Here’s how:
- Blend oatmeal, fuller’s earth, and some water until you have a homogenous mixture.
- Wash your face with a gentle cleanser before applying the mask.
- Leave the mask on your face for fifteen minutes.
- Rinse with warm water.
- Do this remedy once a week for best results.
9. Bentonite Clay
Aside from fuller’s earth which was discussed earlier, bentonite clay can also unclog your pores. Bentonite clay is actually a volcanic ash that acts like a sponge once applied to the skin. It helps keep your skin clean, smooth, and clear.
You will need:
- A tablespoon of oatmeal
- A tablespoon of bentonite clay
- Water
Here’s how:
- Mix water, oatmeal, and bentonite clay until it has a paste-like consistency.
- Put the mask on your face and leave it there for ten to fifteen minutes.
- Once the mask is completely dry, wash it off with warm water.
- Do this remedy once a week.
To increase the effectivity of bentonite clay, you may add activated charcoal (medicinal charcoal) while mixing the mask.
10. Sugar Scrub
Sure there are scrubbing creams and gels available but it’s still best to use natural homemade scrubs especially when you have sensitive skin. Sugar can gently break down the scar tissue while removing dirt and other impurities that clogged your pores. You can use it raw, or mix it with some other ingredients to increase its effectivity in unclogging your pores.
Basic Sugar Scrub:
You will need:
- Water
- Fresh lemon juice (from ½ lemon)
- Two tablespoons of sugar
Here’s how:
- Crush the sugar until it becomes fine powder.
- Add some lemon juice and water to the powdered sugar. Mix until it has a paste-like consistency.
- Use the tip of your fingers to apply the paste on your face. Gently massage using upward and circular strokes to keep the skin from sagging. This simple step helps exfoliate your skin.
- Rinse with cold water after five minutes.
Honey – Green Tea – Sugar Scrub You will need:
- Some green tea
- A tablespoon of honey
- A tablespoon of sugar
Here’s how:
- Put some teaspoons of green tea in a clean bowl. Wait a couple of minutes for it to cool down.
- Put in some honey and sugar.
- Mix until it forms a paste.
- Wash your face with a gentle cleanser before applying the scrub.
- Massage gently using upward strokes and circular motion. Linger a bit on areas that are dry.
- Wash your face with cold water after five minutes.
- For best results, do this remedy once every seven days to prevent clogged pores.
11. Jojoba Oil
The sebum produced by sebaceous glands under the skin are made up of free fatty acids, squalenese, wax esters, and glycerides. Jojoba oil is composed of fatty acids and wax esters – just like the human sebum! Due to their similarities, jojoba oil can help lessen the production of sebum. The results can’t be seen instantly since jojoba oil takes its sweet time in unclogging your pores.
Here’s how:
Apply a small amount of jojoba oil on your skin daily.
12. Exfoliation
Exfoliation removes dry/dead skin cells, dirt, and other impurities from the surface of your skin. Just like steaming, exfoliating helps open clogged pores. There are plenty of ways to exfoliate your skin and one of the popular methods us by using a dry facial brush. You need to be sure that the bristles are soft and made with natural fibers to avoid causing further damage to your skin. Do not use your old toothbrush or body brush because those are too harsh for the sensitive and fragile skin on your face.
You will need:
- Facial brush
Here’s how:
- Remove your makeup and wash your face with a gentle cleanser.
- Use a soft towel to pat your face dry. Make sure that the facial brush is also dry before using.
- Gently brush your skin using circular motions and upward strokes.
- Linger a bit longer on the parts of your face that have dry, flaky skin.
- Be careful when brushing around your eyes because the skin is very thin. Be more slow and gentle when brushing these parts.
- Wash your face with cold water after brushing.
- Apply some gentle moisturizer on your face.
